Discover L'Abbaye on Lac de Joux

L'Abbaye combines abbey history with trails and activities on Lac de Joux. The Tour de L'Abbaye is a prominent landmark visible from afar; educational and walking trails have different focuses. When choosing a hotel, you may want to consider whether you would like to include historical sites, the lakeshore, summer activities or cross-country skiing in your trip.

The Abbey and Tour de L'Abbaye

The Premonstratensian monastery was built between 1126 and 1134 and remained in operation until the arrival of the Bernese in 1536. L'Abbaye is described as the first inhabited settlement in the Vallée de Joux. Today, the Tour de L'Abbaye and the reconstructed remains of the arcades are the only visible traces of the former abbey. The tower was built in the first third of the 14th century and is considered a landmark of the village of the same name. From the tower, you can see across Lac de Joux and towards Epinettes Hill, also known as Revers.

Tours of the tower are available from 1 April to 31 October by advance reservation. The tower is open to the public as part of guided tours; check the reservation arrangements before your visit. The church interior also reflects the monastery's history: it houses a model of the former monastery, made by Dr. Convert in the 1950s and used as a film set for a film about the monastery. Among the visible traces of more recent history are some of the anti-tank fortifications built during the Second World War, known as “Toblerones.”

L'Abbaye is part of the Parc Jura Vaudois. You can combine the historical focus with views of the lakeside landscape without every trail having to follow the same theme.

Trails with different focuses

The Chemin de Saint-Norbert presents the history of the abbey on Lac de Joux through nine stained-glass windows. The educational trail is 0.9 kilometres long, with 25 metres of ascent and 7 metres of descent; it is considered easy. This makes the route clearly defined, while the stained-glass windows put its historical content centre stage.

The Chemin de méditation follows a different route: it follows the historic lakeshore path used by the parish priest of L'Abbaye on his way to Les Bioux. Six reflective stations with information panels each pose a question to walkers. Those more interested in a specific natural feature can hike to the Chaudière de l'Enfer, described as the source of the Lionne. A lakeside path also connects L'Abbaye with Le Pont along Lac de Joux.

Lakeshore, summer and winter

Summer activities in the village include a sailing club with a sailing school and archery offered by Les Archets de Joux. Plage de L'Abbaye has a large lawn, a playground, a table-tennis table, a pétanque court, equipped barbecue areas, tables and a small covered seating area. A floating pontoon is suitable for launching rowboats, canoes or stand-up paddleboards.

Cross-country skiing is another option: the L'Orient–Les Bioux–L'Abbaye trail runs for six kilometres along Lac de Joux and is easy. Cross-country ski equipment can be rented from sports shops in L'Abbaye. The Téléskis du Lac de Joux ski area has a snack bar and the “Le Tremplin” picnic room; check the current status of these facilities before your visit. Activities by the lake therefore vary depending on the season and the kind of stay you are looking for.

Dining and regional transport

Above the village is the Les Croisettes mountain inn, surrounded by pastures and forests. Visitors can sample local or regional products made from agricultural produce there. The menu features rösti, croûtes, fondue, Malakoffs and a wide selection of salads. Les Croisettes also serves brunch from 10:00 to 11:30 by advance reservation. As availability depends on the season and menu offerings may change, check in advance what will be available on the date of your visit.

For getting around the region, buses and trains run hourly around Lac de Joux and serve the villages in the area. The Vallée de Joux is also connected by an SBB rail line with a direct service from Lausanne. Together with the choice of trails, lakeside activities and historical visits, this information can help you decide what to focus on during your stay in L'Abbaye.

Discover more destinations: Sainte-Croix, Grandson, Bullet Vd, Giez Vd, Bonvillars, Grandevent, Romainmôtier-Envy, Ballaigues.

For the main travel overview: Northern Vaud Jura.